JP2024028807A - Golf club head having energy storage property - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a golf club head having an energy storage property.

SOLUTION: In several embodiments, a golf club head 300 includes a body. The body has a ball hitting face 312, a heel region, a toe region facing the heel region, a sole, a crown, and an inner diameter transition part 310 extending from the ball hitting face to at least either of the sole and the crown. In many embodiments, an inner diameter transition region cannot be seen from the outside of the golf club head, and has a first stage 315, a second stage 317, and a stage transition region 316 between the first stage and the second stage.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

Cross-References to Related Applications This application is filed in US Provisional Application No. 62/206,152, filed August 17, 2015, US Provisional Application No. 62/131,739, filed March 11, 2015, and filed on January 20, 2015. U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/105,460, dated January 20, 2015, and Provisional Application No. 62/068,232, dated October 24, 2014. and all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to golf clubs, and more particularly, to golf club heads with energy storage properties.

Golf club manufacturers design golf club heads to reduce stress on the ball striking surface of the golf club head. In many instances, these designs prevent the crown of the golf club head from deflecting toward the sole. Further, these designs are designed such that the point of peak bending of the golf club head upon impact with the golf ball does not change and does not store additional spring energy. The additional spring energy allows for increased ball speed across the ball striking surface.

The following drawings are provided to facilitate further description of the embodiments.

1 illustrates a front crown side perspective view of a golf club head according to an embodiment. FIG.

2 shows the golf club head of FIG. 1 along section line II-II in FIG. 1;

2 shows a view of a portion of a golf club head similar to the golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along a cross-section line similar to cross-section line II-II of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment; FIG.

2 shows a view of a portion of a golf club head similar to the golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along a cross-sectional line similar to cross-sectional line II-II of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment; FIG.

2 shows a view of a portion of a golf club head similar to the golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along a cross-section line similar to cross-section line II-II of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment; FIG.

2 shows a view of a portion of a golf club head similar to the golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along a cross-section line similar to cross-section line II-II of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment; FIG.

2 shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club similar to the golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along a cross-sectional line similar to cross-sectional line VII-VII of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment; FIG.

5 shows a view of a portion of a golf club head similar to the golf club head of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment and a view of the same area of a standard golf club head; FIG.

3 illustrates a method of manufacturing a golf club head according to an embodiment of the method.

1 illustrates a rear toe side perspective view of a golf club head according to an embodiment. FIG.

11 shows a rear heel side perspective view of the golf club head according to the embodiment of FIG. 10. FIG.

11 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 10 taken along section line XII-XII of FIG. 10. FIG.

13 shows a view of a portion of the golf club head of FIG. 12 and a view of the same area of a standard golf club head. FIG.

11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a golf club head similar to that of FIG. 10 taken along a cross-sectional line similar to cross-sectional line XII-XII of FIG. 10, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a rear toe side perspective view of a golf club according to another embodiment.

16 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 15 taken along section line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15. FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a golf club head according to another method embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of a golf club according to another embodiment.

15 illustrates the results of testing the golf club head of FIG. 14 in accordance with another embodiment. FIG.

15 illustrates the results of testing the golf club head of FIG. 14 in accordance with another embodiment. FIG.

11 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 10. FIG.

For simplicity and clarity, the figures show general aspects of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the golf club and its method of manufacture. There are things to do. Additionally, the elements in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve embodiments of the golf club and method of manufacturing the same. The same reference numbers in different figures indicate the same parts.

Terms such as "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" in the specification and claims, when present, are used to distinguish between similar members. and does not necessarily describe a particular order or chronological order. The terms so used refer to appropriate situations in which the embodiments of the golf clubs and manufacturing methods described herein are operable, e.g., in an order other than as illustrated or described herein. It is understood that the following are interchangeable with each other. Furthermore, the terms "contain," "include," and "have" and variations thereof are intended to include non-exclusive inclusion, and a process, method, article or apparatus containing a list of members does not necessarily include is not limited to, and may include other components not explicitly shown or inherent in such process, method, article or apparatus.

When the description and claims include terms such as "left", "right", "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "side", "bottom", "top", etc. are used for illustrative purposes and do not necessarily describe permanent relative positions. The terms so used refer to appropriate situations in which embodiments of the golf clubs and manufacturing methods described herein are operable in orientations other than those described or described herein, for example. It is understood that the following are interchangeable with each other. The term "coupled" as used herein defines directly or indirectly connected physically, mechanically or otherwise.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments of a golf club head with a stepped inner thinning include a golf club head having a body. The body has a ball striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, a crown, and an inner diameter transition region from the ball striking surface to at least one of the sole or the crown. In many embodiments, the inner diameter transition region is not visible from the outside of the golf club head and includes a first stage, a second stage, and a stage transition region between the first and second stages.

Other embodiments of golf club heads with stepped interior thinnings include golf clubs having a golf club head and a shaft coupled to the golf club head. The golf club head has a ball striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, a crown, and an inner diameter transition region from the ball striking surface to at least one of the sole or the crown. In many embodiments, the inner diameter transition region is not visible from the outside of the golf club head and includes a first stage, a second stage, and a stage transition region between the first and second stages.

Other embodiments of golf club heads with stepped inner thin walls include methods of manufacturing golf club heads. The method includes preparing a body. The body has a ball hitting surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. The method further includes providing an inner diameter transition region from the ball striking surface to at least one of the sole or the crown. The inner diameter transition region is not visible from the exterior of the golf club head and has a first stage, a second stage, and a stage transition region between the first stage and the second stage. In many embodiments, the first stage has a first thickness, the second stage has a second thickness, and the second thickness is less than the first thickness.

Various embodiments include golf club heads with hollow bodies. The hollow body has a ball striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In many embodiments, the crown includes an upper region having a top rail and a lower region. In some embodiments, a cavity is disposed below the top rail, disposed above a lower region of the crown, and defined at least in part by an upper region and a lower region of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity has a top wall, a back wall, a bottom slope, a back cavity angle measured between the top wall and the back wall of the cavity, and at least one channel.

Some embodiments include a golf club having a hollow body golf club and a shaft coupled to a hollow body golf club head. The hollow-body golf club head has a ball-striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In many embodiments, the crown includes an upper region having a top rail and a lower region. In some embodiments, a cavity is disposed below the top rail, disposed above a lower region of the crown, and defined at least in part by an upper region and a lower region of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity has a top wall, a back wall, a bottom slope, a back cavity angle measured between the top wall and the back wall of the cavity, and at least one channel.

Other embodiments include methods of manufacturing golf club heads. In many embodiments, the method includes preparing a body. The body has a ball hitting surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. The crown includes an upper region having a top rail and a lower region. In some embodiments, a cavity is disposed below the top rail and above the lower region of the crown and is defined at least in part by the upper and lower regions of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity has at least a top wall, a back wall adjacent the top wall, a bottom slope adjacent the back wall, and a back cavity angle measured between the top wall and the back wall of the cavity. It has one channel.

Other examples and embodiments are further disclosed herein. Such examples and embodiments can be found in the drawings, the claims and/or the specification.

I. Golf Club Head with Cascading Sole Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a golf club head 100. FIG. The golf club head 100 may be a wood type golf club head. For example, the golf club head 100 can be a fairway wood type golf club head, a driver type golf club head, a hybrid type golf club head, or an iron type golf club head. Golf club head 100 has a body 101. Body 101 has a ball hitting surface 112, a heel region 102, a toe region 104, a sole 106, and a crown 108. In FIG. 1, body 101 further includes a skirt 110 extending between sole 106 and crown 108. In FIG. In some embodiments, body 101 does not have skirt 110 or any skirt. FIG. 18 shows a front perspective view of a golf club 1800 according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, golf club 1800 has a golf club head 100 and a shaft 190.

In some embodiments, the body 101 is made of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, alloy steel (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), titanium alloy (e.g., Ti7- 4, Ti6-4, T-9S), aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, the ball striking surface 112 is made of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, alloy steel (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), titanium alloy (e.g., Ti7 -4, Ti6-4, T-9S), aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, body 101 can have the same material as ball striking surface 112. In some embodiments, body 101 can have a different material than ball striking surface 112.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of golf club head 100 along cross-section line II-II of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates an inner diameter transition 210 from ball striking surface 112 to sole 106, according to one embodiment. The inner diameter transition 210 can have a smooth transition, or the inner diameter transition 210 can have a cascading sole having a height of at least two steps or thicknesses. For example, the inner diameter transition 210 can include a cascading sole with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 steps. In some embodiments, the inner diameter transition can provide greater bending of the ball striking face 112. In some examples, increasing the bending or deflection of the ball striking surface 112 can allow approximately 1% to approximately 3% more energy due to the deflection of the ball striking surface 112.

In many embodiments, the inner diameter transition 210 is not visible from the exterior of the golf club head 100. FIG. 2 further shows the top inner diameter transition 260 from the ball striking surface 112 to the crown 108. In some embodiments, the top inner diameter transition 260 can have a smooth transition, while in other embodiments the top inner diameter transition 260 has a height of at least two steps or thicknesses. can have. For example, the top inner diameter transition 260 can have a height of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 steps or thicknesses. In some embodiments, golf club head 100 can have an inner sole thickness 220. Inner sole thickness 220 may be greater than the thinnest thickness of inner diameter transition 210. In many embodiments, the inner sole thickness 220 is also thicker than the adjacent step or the last step of the inner diameter transition 210. In some embodiments, the inner sole thickness 220 can be thicker than the entire inner diameter transition 210.

In some embodiments, the inner diameter transition 210 includes a sole front portion and/or weight distribution, such as described in U.S. Pat. This patent is incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the golf club head can have a cascading transition region, a stepped transition region, or an inner diameter transition region extending from the ball striking face to at least one of the crown, heel, toe, sole, or skirt. In some embodiments, the golf club head includes a single stepped transition area ring that circumscribes the circumference of the golf club head, e.g., extending from the ball striking face to each of the crown, toe region, heel region, and sole region. It may have a continuous stepped transition area ring. In other embodiments, the golf club head has stepped transition areas only in the crown and/or sole. In some embodiments, the golf club head has stepped transition regions only in the toe region and/or heel region. In other embodiments, the stepped transition region is located only from the ball striking face to the skirt. In other embodiments, the golf club head has separate or discrete stepped transition regions from the ball striking surface to the crown toe region, the crown heel region, the sole toe region, and/or the sole heel region.

FIG. 3 shows a view of an inner radius transition 310 of a golf club head 300 according to another embodiment similar to the golf club head of FIG. 1 along a cross-sectional line similar to cross-sectional line II-II in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a view of an inner diameter transition 410 of a golf club head 400 according to another embodiment similar to the golf club head of FIG. 1 along a cross-sectional line similar to cross-sectional line II-II in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a view of an inner diameter transition 510 of a golf club head 500 according to another embodiment similar to the golf club head of FIG. 1 along a cross-sectional line similar to cross-sectional line II-II in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, inner diameter transition 310 can be similar to inner diameter transition 210 (FIG. 2), and golf club head 300 can be similar to golf club head 100 (FIGS. 1 and 2). can. Inner diameter transition 310 includes a first stage 315 having a first thickness and a second stage 317 having a second thickness. In many embodiments, the thickness of each step is substantially constant. For example, the first thickness of the first stage 315 can have a first substantially constant thickness and the second thickness of the second stage 317 can have a second substantially constant thickness. In other embodiments, the first step 315 can have a first slope, and the first thickness of the first step 315 is thicker proximate the ball striking surface 312 and thinner proximate the step transition region 316. . The step transition region 316 may have a step slope that is steeper than the first slope of the first step 315. The step transition region 316 can be linearly sloped at an angle less than 90 degrees to transition from the first step 315 to the second step 317. In other embodiments, step transition region 316 can have approximately 90 degree steps, as shown in step transition regions 516 and 518 in FIG. Stage transition regions 516 (FIG. 5) and 518 (FIG. 5) can be similar to stage transition region 316 (FIG. 3) and stage transition regions 416 (FIG. 4) and 418 (FIG. 4).

As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, each stepped transition 316, 416, 418, 516, 518 can have a first arcuate surface 420 and a second arcuate surface 422. The first arcuate surface 420 has a first radius of curvature, and the second arcuate surface 422 has a second radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature of each stepped transition 316, 416, 418, 516, 518 can be the same, or the first radius of curvature of each stepped transition 316, 416, 418, 516, 518 can be the same. The first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature can also be made different. For example, the first radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420 may be the same as the second radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420, and the first radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420 may be the same as the second radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420. The first radius of curvature can be less than the second radius of curvature, or the first radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420 can be greater than the second radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420. Further, for example, the first radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422 may be the same as the second radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422, and the first radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422 may be the same as the second radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422. 422 , or the first radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422 can be greater than the second radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422 .

Further, each stepped transition 316, 416, 418, 516, 518 can have the same first radius of curvature or a different first radius of curvature; can have the same second radius of curvature or different second radii of curvature. For example, the first radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420 may be the same as the first radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422, and the first radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420 may be the same as the first radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422. The first radius of curvature may be less than the first radius of curvature, or the first radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420 may be greater than the first radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422. Further, for example, the second radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420 may be the same as the second radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422, and the second radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420 may be the same as the second radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422. The second radius of curvature of 420 can be less than the second radius of curvature of second arcuate surface 422, or the second radius of curvature of first arcuate surface 420 can be less than the second radius of curvature of second arcuate surface 422. can be made larger than.

The inner diameter transition feature (eg, inner stage transition 310, FIG. 3) can change where peak bending occurs in the golf club head. The stepped transition region can create a "plastic hinge" at the peak of bending and promote more localized deformation upon impact with the golf ball. In many embodiments, the buckling process begins at the peak bending position and the golf club head is optimized to remain just below the critical buckling threshold. The inner plastic hinge allows the club to flex more toward the crown and sole. The internal plastic hinge allows precise control of the position and amount of deflection of the crown and sole by using a stepped feature.

The use of inner diameter transitions allows the stress of the golf club head to be distributed over a greater volume of material, thus reducing localized peak stresses. In many embodiments, additional deflection from the crown to the sole allows the surface to flex further under the same load. This additional deflection creates more stress and flex in the face of the club and can generate more spring energy. Increased spring energy can be stored within the golf club head due to impact with the golf ball. In many embodiments, the additional spring energy helps increase the speed of the ball. In some embodiments, the inner diameter transition can create a more general flex within the golf club head, which can also lead to increased ball speed. Increasing ball speed across the ball striking surface allows for better distance control. In some embodiments, a golf club head with an inner diameter transition feature can store about 4% to about 6% more energy, which can be returned to the golf ball.

Returning to FIG. 3, the inner diameter transition 310 can change the location at which peak bending 350 of the sole of the golf club head 300 occurs. Additionally, the inner diameter transition 310 allows the body of the club head 300 to engage more during the bending process upon impact from the golf ball. In some embodiments, the first stage 315 and the second stage 317 allow each stage to store a portion of the stress generated by the impact of the golf ball with the ball striking surface 312. This structure prevents stress from collecting primarily at the thinnest portion of the sole, allowing the reliability and durability of the golf club head 300 to be increased. In many embodiments, this structure creates a plastic hinge opposite the ball striking face end of the inner diameter transition 310 and promotes further localization of deformation at the plastic hinge location. In many embodiments, a plastic hinge can be placed at a bending peak, such as bending peak 350. This structure may also allow more potential energy to be stored in the crown and/or sole, for example. In some embodiments, the body 301 can experience an increase in deflection or bending in a crown-to-sole direction at the sole and crown by about 4% to about 7%. Additional deflection in the sole and/or crown in a crown-to-sole direction may allow the ball striking surface 312 to flex further with the same load or impact by a golf ball. Accordingly, this structure can create more stress and bending on the ball striking surface 312 of the golf club head 300 that can be transferred to the ball upon impact with the ball striking surface 312.

In some embodiments, each stage has a substantially constant thickness throughout the stage. In many embodiments, first stage 315 is thicker than second stage 317. In some embodiments of driver-type golf club heads, the first stage 315 has a thickness of about 0.030 inch (0.076 cm) to about 0.060 inch (0.152 cm), or about 0.03 inch (0.076 cm) to about 0.060 inch (0.152 cm). 040 inches (0.102 cm) to about 0.050 inches (0.127 cm), and the second stage 317 can be about 0.020 inches (0.051 cm) to about 0.050 inches thick. (0.127 cm) thick, or from about 0.030 inch (0.076 cm) to about 0.040 inch (0.102 cm). In some embodiments of fairway wood type golf club heads, the first stage 315 is about 0.035 inches (0.089 cm) to about 0.065 inches (0.165 cm) thick, or about 0. 0.045 inch (0.114 cm) to about 0.055 inch (0.140 cm) thick, and second stage 317 is about 0.025 inch (0.064 cm) to about 0.055 inch (0.055 inch) thick. 140 cm) or from about 0.035 inches (0.089 cm) to about 0.045 inches (0.114 cm). In some embodiments of hybrid-type golf club heads, the first stage 315 has a thickness of about 0.050 inches (0.127 cm) to about 0.080 inches (0.203 cm), or about 0.05 inches (0.127 cm) to about 0.080 inches (0.203 cm). 060 inches (0.152 cm) to about 0.070 inches (0.178 cm) thick; second stage 317 about 0.040 inches (0.102 cm) to about 0.070 inches (0.178 cm) thick; or from about 0.050 inches (0.127 cm) to about 0.060 inches (0.152 cm). In many embodiments of iron-type golf club heads, the first stage 315 is about 0.055 inches (0.140 cm) to about 0.085 inches (0.216 cm) thick, or about 0.060 inches (0.060 cm) thick. inch (0.152 cm) to about 0.080 inch (0.203 cm) second stage 317 is about 0.045 inch (0.114 cm) to about 0.075 inch (0.191 cm) thick; The thickness can be from about 0.050 inches (0.127 cm) to about 0.070 inches (0.178 cm).

In other embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 4, the inner diameter transition 410 can have more than two steps. For example, inner diameter transition 410 can have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 steps. The three-stage inner diameter transition section 410 is made similar to the inner diameter transition section 310 (FIG. 3) and includes a first stage 415, a second stage 417, and a third stage 419. The first stage 415 can be similar to the first stage 315 of FIG. 3, and the second stage 417 can be similar to the second stage 317. In many embodiments, the bending peak 450 occurs further rearward from the ball striking face 412 as more steps are added to the inner diameter transition.

In many embodiments, second stage 417 is thicker than third stage 419. In some embodiments of driver-type golf club heads, the third stage 419 is about 0.010 inch to about 0.040 inch (0.102 cm) thick, or about 0.020 inch (0.02 cm) thick. 0.051 cm) to approximately 0.030 inch (0.076 cm) thick. In some embodiments of fairway wood type golf club heads, the third stage 419 is about 0.015 inches (0.038 cm) to about 0.045 inches (0.114 cm) thick, or about 0. The thickness ranges from .025 inches (0.064 cm) to about 0.035 inches (0.089 cm). In some embodiments of hybrid-type golf club heads, the third stage 419 has a thickness of about 0.030 inch (0.076 cm) to about 0.060 inch (0.152 cm), or about 0.03 inch (0.076 cm) to about 0.060 inch (0.152 cm). 0.040 inch (0.102 cm) to approximately 0.050 inch (0.127 cm) thick. In some embodiments of iron-type club heads, the third stage 419 is about 0.030 inches (0.076 cm) to about 0.060 inches (0.152 cm), or about 0.035 inches (0.035 inches). 0.89 cm) to approximately 0.055 inch (0.140 cm) thick.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments of driver-type golf club heads, the first stage 515 is approximately 0.045 inches (0.114 cm) thick and the second stage 517 is approximately 0.045 inches (0.114 cm) thick. The third stage 519 may be approximately 0.025 inches (0.064 cm) thick. In some embodiments of fairway wood type golf club heads, the first stage 515 is approximately 0.051 inches (0.130 cm) thick and the second stage 517 is approximately 0.039 inches (0.099 cm) thick. , and third stage 519 may be approximately 0.030 inches (0.076 cm) thick. In some embodiments of hybrid-type golf club heads, the first stage 515 can be about 0.067 inches (0.170 cm) thick and the second stage 517 can be about 0.054 inches (0.054 inches) thick. 0.137 cm) and the third stage 519 may be approximately 0.045 inches (0.114 cm) thick. In some embodiments of iron-type golf club heads, the first stage 515 is approximately 0.067 inches (0.170 cm) thick and the second stage is approximately 0.057 inches (0.145 cm) thick. Third stage 519 may be approximately 0.042 inches (0.107 cm) thick.

In some embodiments, the first stage 315, 415, 515 of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 has a second stage length approximately equal to the second stage length of the second stage 317, 417, 517 of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, respectively. It can have one stage length. In some embodiments, the first stage length of the first stage 315, 415, 515 of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 is longer than the second stage length of the second stage 317, 417, 517, respectively. In other embodiments, the second stage lengths of the second stages 417, 517 of FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, can be approximately equal to the third stage lengths of the third stages 419, 519 of FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. can. In some embodiments, the second stage lengths of the second stages 417, 517 of FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, can be longer than the third stage lengths of the third stages 419, 519 of FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. can. In other embodiments, the second stage lengths of the second stages 417, 517 of FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, can be shorter than the third stage lengths of the third stages 419, 519 of FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. .

3, 4, and 5, in some embodiments of a fairway wood type golf club head or a driver type golf club head or a hybrid type golf club head, the first stage 315, 415, 515 is approximately The first stage length can be from 0.05 inches (0.127 cm) to about 0.80 inches (2.03 cm), and the second stage 317, 417, 517 can have a length of about 0.03 inches (0.076 cm). ) to about 0.60 inches (1.52 cm), and the third step 419,519 can have a length from about 0.04 inches (0.102 cm) to about 0.70 inches (1 .78 cm). In some embodiments of iron-type golf club heads, the first stage 315, 415, 515 has a first stage length of about 0.03 inches (0.076 cm) to about 0.30 inches (0.762 cm). The second stage 317, 417, 517 can have a second stage length of about 0.04 inch (0.102 cm) to about 0.40 inch (1.02 cm); The third stage 419, 519 can have a third stage length of about 0.05 inches (0.127 cm) to about 0.50 inches (1.27 cm).

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, in some embodiments, the first and second arcuate surfaces of the stepped transitions 316, 416, 516 include the first step 315, 415, 515 and the second step 317. . In one embodiment, the first and second arcuate surfaces of the stepped transitions 316, 416, 516 have a first thickness T1 and a first thickness T1 of the first step 315, 415, 515 and the second step 317, 417, 517, respectively. The first and second radii of curvature are about 6.5 times larger than the difference between the second thickness T2. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in some embodiments, the first and second arcuate surfaces of the stepped transitions 418, 518 are the first and second arcuate surfaces of the second steps 417, 517 and third steps 419, 519, respectively. The first and second radii of curvature may be at least twice as large as the difference between the second thickness T2 and the third thickness T3. In one embodiment, the first and second arcuate surfaces of the stepped transitions 418, 518 have a second thickness T2 and a third thickness T3 of the second steps 417, 517 and third steps 419, 519, respectively. The first and second radii of curvature are about 6.5 times larger than the difference between them.

As shown in FIG. 3, some embodiments, such as golf club head 300, have a weight pad 330 that lowers the center of gravity of golf club head 300. Weight pad 330 has a weight pad thickness 331 that is greater than the final stage thickness 321 of the adjacent stage. In this example, the adjacent stage is the second stage 317. In many embodiments with weighted pads 330, inner sole thickness 320 can be approximately equal to final step thickness 321. In some embodiments, the inner sole thickness 320 can be greater than the final step thickness 321. In some embodiments, the inner sole thickness 320 is thinner than the final step thickness 321.

As shown in FIG. 4, some embodiments, such as golf club head 400, have ribs 440. The rib 440 can be arranged inside the body 401 and substantially parallel to the ball hitting surface. In many embodiments, ribs 440 can be ridges or bars. In some embodiments, the ribs 440 can have a rib thickness 441 that is greater than the third step thickness 421, the thickness of an adjacent step, or the thickness of the last step of the inner diameter transition 410. The purpose of the ribs 440 is to stiffen the sole of the golf club head 400, so that peak bending of the sole occurs at the step transition region 416 and/or the step transition region 418.

6, in some embodiments, the golf club head 600 can have an inner crown diameter transition 660 at the crown 608. The crown inner diameter transition section 660 is similar to the inner diameter transition section 310 of FIG. 3, except that the crown inner diameter transition section 660 is located on the ball striking surface for the crown transition instead of the ball striking surface for the sole transition section. I can do it. In many embodiments, the first stage 615 can be similar to the first stage 315, 415 and/or 515 of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, respectively, and the second stage 617 can be similar to the first stage 315, 415 and/or 515 of FIGS. The third stage 619 can be similar to the third stage 419 and/or 519 of FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, and the third stage 619 can be similar to the third stage 419 and/or 519 of FIGS. Regions 616 and/or 618 may be similar to step transition regions 316, 416, 516, 418, and/or 518 of FIGS. Similarly, crown inner diameter transition 660 can have multiple inner diameter transitions and form more than two steps. For example, crown inner diameter transition 660 can have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 steps.

In FIG. 7, a golf club head 700 can have a skirt inner diameter transition 780, as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a golf club 700, similar to golf club head 100 (FIG. 1), along a cross-sectional line similar to cross-sectional line VII-VII of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment. The skirt inner diameter transition 780 may be similar to the inner diameter transition 210 (FIG. 2), and the first stage 715 may be similar to the first stages 315, 415 and/or 515 of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, respectively. and the second stage 717 can be similar to the second stage 317, 417 and/or 517 of FIGS. The steps 419 and/or 519 may be similar to steps 419 and/or 519, and the steps transition region 716 and/or 718 may be similar to step transition regions 316, 416, 516, 418, and/or 518 of FIGS. I can do it. Similarly, the inner skirt diameter transition 780 can have more than two steps. For example, the inner skirt diameter transition 780 can have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 steps. As shown in FIG. 7, the golf club head 700 can also have a skirt inner diameter transition portion on the other side of the ball hitting surface 712. In other embodiments, the golf club head 700 can have a skirt inner diameter transition on one side of the ball striking surface 712.

FIG. 8 shows a view of a portion of a golf club head 800 similar to golf club head 400 (FIG. 4) according to an embodiment, and a view of the same area of a standard golf club head 850. The standard golf club head 850 has a uniform sole thickness 855 from the ball striking surface 852 to the sole 856 and an inner sole weight 870 that is thicker than the uniform sole thickness 855. Golf club head 800 has an inner diameter transition 810 similar to inner diameter transition 410 (FIG. 4). The inner diameter transition section 810 includes a first stage 815 similar to the first stage 415 (FIG. 4), a second stage 817 similar to the second stage 417 (FIG. 4), and a third stage 819 similar to the third stage 419 (FIG. 4). A third stage 819 may be provided. Inner diameter transition 810 can further include step transition regions 816, 818 similar to step transition regions 416 (FIG. 4) and 418 (FIG. 4), and an inner sole weight 820 similar to inner sole weight 870. . In many embodiments, at least one of the first stage 815, second stage 817, or third stage 819 can be thinner than the uniform sole thickness 855. The thickness of the steps may eliminate weight that can later be redistributed to the club head.

High stresses are better distributed over a larger area of sole 806 with inner diameter transition region 810 than in sole 856 without a cascading sole. In many embodiments, a uniform sole thickness 855 and a similar overall curvature of the sole can absorb a greater specific concentration of impact force from a golf ball in a particular area, while also allowing the force to be applied over a larger area. It is not meant to disperse. A cascade structure (or step with varying thickness along the inner diameter transition), such as inner diameter transition 810, however, allows the undulating or stepped structure to exert greater stress from one inner diameter region of a particular thickness to the next. Provides a technique to "package" impact force from a golf ball over a larger area for transmission. In many embodiments, there is stress bleeding, overflow or pooling across the inner diameter transition 810 or cascading thin sole. A greater distribution of greater stress creates a greater recoil force on the ball striking surface. Storing stress at the inner diameter transition 810 can also prevent all of the stress from collecting directly at the thinnest step. In many embodiments, the stepped feature can help distribute stress along the sole and prevent one large stress concentration from occurring. Instead, there are multiple stress concentrations for a more even distribution of stress. The stress is extended along the cascading sole, allowing the sole to act on (or absorb) more stress. However, the stress is reduced at the thickest portion of the sole without a cascading sole, which experiences the greatest level of stress and exerts less rebound force on the ball striking surface.

Embodiments of golf club heads (eg, 100, 300, 400, 500, 600, or 700) having cascade soles were tested in comparison to similar control club heads that did not have cascade soles. A club head with a cascade sole has a lower speed of about 0.5 to 1.5 miles per hour (mph) (0.8 to 2.4 kilometers per hour (kph)), or about 0.5 to 1.5 miles per hour (mph), or about 0.8 to 2.4 kilometers per hour (kph), compared to a control club head. The increase in ball speed for on-center impacts was approximately 0.5-1.0 mph (0.8-1.6 kph), and for off-center impacts. The increase in ball speed was about 1-1.5 mph (1.6-2.4 kph).The club head with the cascade sole also had an increase of about 0.1-0. It showed an increase in launch angle of 3 degrees, a decrease in spin of about 275 to 315 revolutions per minute (rpm), and an increase in carry distance of about 3 to 6 yards (2.7 to 5.5 meters).

In some embodiments, a golf club head having a driver-type, hybrid-type, or wood-type cascading sole (e.g., 100, 300, 400, 500, 600, or 700) further has a first crown thickness ( (not shown) and a second crown thickness (not shown). The first crown thickness may be located at the crown behind the ball striking face or at the crown inner diameter transition. The second crown thickness may be located on the crown toward the rear of the club head behind the first crown thickness. The first crown thickness is greater than the second crown thickness. Furthermore, the first crown thickness may transition gradually towards the second crown thickness according to any contour, or the first crown thickness may transition towards the second crown thickness, for example in a stepwise manner. There may be a sudden transition to

The first crown thickness may include any portion of the crown at the forward end of the club head. For example, the first crown thickness may be 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50% of the crown at the front end of the club head, or any It may have a portion. The second crown thickness may include any portion of the crown at the rear of the club head. For example, the second crown thickness may include 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80% or any portion at the rear of the club head. .

The crown thickness may transition between a first crown thickness and a second crown thickness at any portion of the crown of the club head, defining a crown thickness transition. The crown thickness transition may be of any shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the crown thickness transition defines a bell-shaped curve similar to that of U.S. Pat. No. 7,892,111, which is incorporated herein by reference. Ru. A first crown thickness is disposed on the crown between the ball striking face and the bell curve, and a second crown thickness is disposed between the bell curve and the rear of the club head.

In an exemplary embodiment, if the golf club head is a fairway wood type golf club head, the first crown thickness is about 0.022 inch (0.056 cm) and the second crown thickness is about 0.02 inch (0.056 cm). 019 inch (0.048 cm). Further, in an exemplary embodiment, when the golf club head is a hybrid type golf club head, the first crown thickness is about 0.024 inches (0.061 cm) and the second crown thickness is about 0.024 inches (0.061 cm). It is .019 inch (0.048 cm).

In other embodiments of fairway wood type or hybrid type golf club heads, the first crown thickness is about 0.029 (0.074), 0.028 (0.071), 0.027 (0.069) ), 0.026 (0.066), 0.025 (0.064), 0.024 (0.061), 0.023 (0.058), 0.022 (0.056), 0.021 (0.053), 0.020 (0.051), 0.019 (0.048), 0.018 (0.046), or thinner than 0.017 (0.043) inch (cm), The second crown thickness is approximately 0.024 (0.061), 0.023 (0.058), 0.022 (0.056), 0.021 (0.053), 0.020 (0. 051), 0.019 (0.048), 0.018 (0.046), 0.017 (0.043), 0.016 (0.041), 0.015 (0.038), 0. It may be thinner than 0.014 (0.036), 0.013 (0.033), or 0.012 (0.031) inches (cm).

The inner crown diameter transition dissipates and/or reduces stresses in the crown of the club head, thereby reducing the first and second crown thicknesses compared to previous designs. In an exemplary embodiment, the first crown thickness is reduced by about 17.2-24.1% and the second crown thickness is reduced by about 20.8% compared to the previous design. The reduction in the first and second crown thickness allows for a lower center of gravity of the club head (located closer to the sole) than in previous designs. Lowering the clubhead's center of gravity improves the performance characteristics of the clubhead by reducing gearing and spin of the ball.

9, various embodiments of golf club heads with stepped interior thinnings include a method 900 of manufacturing a golf club head. Method 900 includes preparing a body (block 910). The body has a ball hitting surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In some embodiments, the body further includes a skirt extending from the crown to the sole. The method 900 further includes providing an inner diameter transition from the ball striking surface to at least one of the sole, crown, or skirt (block 920). The method 900 further includes providing a first stage of the inner diameter transition (block 930), providing a second stage of the inner diameter transition (block 940), and a first stage and a second stage of the inner diameter transition region. (block 950). In some embodiments, blocks 910, 920, 930, 940, and 950 can be performed simultaneously with each other, such as by molding the body of the club head. In other embodiments, one or more of blocks 920, 930, 940, and/or 950 may be performed after block 910 through a machining process, as an example.

II. Golf Club Head with Back Cavity In one embodiment, a golf club head has a back cavity located in the upper crown area of the golf club. In many embodiments, the back cavity can provide a box spring effect when the golf ball is struck. The back cavity can be combined with a change in thickness of the inner diameter of the sole of the club head (cascading sole) to provide a spring-like effect.

Some embodiments are directed to club heads (hybrid or fairway woods or irons with hollow designs) that feature hollow structure club heads that provide a more "iron-like" look and feel. In some embodiments, the golf club head can feature a flat ball striking surface and an iron-like profile, which can provide improved processability and accuracy similar to an iron. can. The back cavity, located below the top rail of the club head and along the lower crown, is designed for hybrids, fairway woods and irons with hollow structures. The back cavity may be a full channel along the upper crown or back of the club head, from heel to toe, just below the top rail of the club head. The top rail and cavity may be of any design. In some embodiments, the cavity has an angle of approximately 90 degrees to provide a targeted hinge point in the crown region of the golf club head. This hinge or buckling region allows the top rail to absorb greater impact forces over a larger volume area, causing the cavity and the top rail to springboard with greater recoil force back to the ball striking surface as it returns to its original alignment. This makes it possible to apply greater force to the ball. The increased club face deflection created by this cavity design reduces spin, increases the loft angle of the golf ball at impact, and allows for faster ball speeds at the same club speed than standard golf club heads. .

In a standard hybrid club head, the top rail and upper crown area do not have a cavity of this design. In comparison to the present disclosure, there is less bending or deflection of the ball striking face in such standard hybrid club heads. Standard hybrids do not have a large springback effect because by not having a cavity, less energy is transferred to the top rail of the club. The disclosed golf club head with a back cavity allows for greater impact forces of the golf ball to be absorbed and then returned to the ball striking surface. In many embodiments, the angle of the cavity can provide a buckling point, or a plastic hinge, or a target hinge for the ball striking face to deflect more than a standard golf club.

The recoil effect of the cavity on the ball-striking face is due in part to (1) the spring effect transmitted to the ball from the hinge area on the ball-striking face of the same club head with and without an upper crown cavity (or back cavity); faster golf ball speed relative to head speed; (2) the hinge point at the top of the cavity counteracts the greater force absorbed by the club and instead transmits more force to the ball, which causes the ball to (3) less spin of the golf ball after impact with the club, due in part to being prevented from spinning backwards from the surface; (3) the hinge and striking surface acting as a diving board or catapult on the ball; Provides a larger loft angle for the golf ball at impact due to In some embodiments, the cavity may increase ball speed by about 1.0-1.2% and launch angle by about 0.4-0.7 degrees.

Turning to the figures, FIG. 10 shows a rear toe side perspective view of an embodiment of the golf club head 1000, and FIG. 11 shows a rear heel side perspective view of the golf club head 1000 according to the embodiment of FIG. Golf club head 1000 can be a hybrid type golf club head. In other embodiments, golf club head 1000 may be an iron-type golf club head or a fairway wood-type golf club head. In many embodiments, golf club head 1000 does not have badges or individual preparation ports.

Golf club head 1000 has a body 1001. In many embodiments, the body is hollow. In some embodiments, the body is at least partially hollow. The body 1001 has a ball hitting surface 1012, a heel region 1002, a toe region 1004 opposite the heel region 1002, a sole 1006, and a crown 1008. Crown 1008 has an upper region 1011 and a lower region 1013. Upper region 1011 has a top rail 1015. In some embodiments, the top rail 1015 can be a flat, taller top rail or skirt. Explain why a flatter and taller top rail increases playability off the tee against mis-hits on the ball striking surface 1012.

In some embodiments, the body 1001 is made of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, alloy steel (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), titanium alloy (e.g., Ti7- 4, Ti6-4, T-9S), aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, ball striking surface 1012 is made of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, alloy steel (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), titanium alloy (e.g., Ti7 -4, Ti6-4, T-9S), aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, body 1001 can have the same material as ball striking surface 1012. In some embodiments, body 1001 can have a different material than ball striking surface 1012.

In many embodiments, the cavity 1030 is located on the underside of the top rail 1015. In many embodiments, cavity 1030 has a top box spring design. In many embodiments, the top rail 1015 and cavity 1030 provide increased overall bending of the ball striking surface 1012. In some embodiments, the bending of the ball striking surface 1012 can allow an increase in energy of about 2% to about 5%. Cavity 1030 allows ball striking surface 1012 to be made thinner and allows for additional overall bending. For some fairway wood type golf club head embodiments, the cavity 1030 can be an inverted scoop or indentation in the crown 1008 that is thicker toward the sole 1006.

Referring to FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the golf club head 1000 can further include an insert 1062 in the lower region 1013 of the crown 1008 near the toe region 1004. Some embodiments have internal weights in the sole 1006. In many embodiments, insert 1062 may include tungsten or other high density materials. In many embodiments, the insert moves the center of gravity (CG) approximately 0.04 inches (1 mm) to 0.10 inches (2.5 mm) rearward from the ball striking surface 1012 and increases the launch angle by approximately 3.5% to 3.5 percent. 5.5% increase, which can increase playability on high or low mis-hits off the tee.

In many embodiments, the CG is at the lower region 1013 of the crown 1008, near the intersection of the toe region 1004 and the sole 1006. In some embodiments, the CG of golf club head 1000 is 0.597 inches along the CGy plane and 0.541 inches along the CGz plane. In terms of moment of inertia, Ixx, the golf club head 1000 provided a 20.5% increase over the G30 irons and a 28% increase over the Rapture DI. For Iyy, it was 1.7% more than the G30 iron and 22% more than the Rapture DI.

In some embodiments, about 3 grams (g) to about 4 g is added to the top rail 1015. In most embodiments, the total mass of golf club head 1000 remains the same. In some embodiments, mass can be removed from the sole 1006 or toe region 1004 to offset the addition of mass to the top rail 1015. In some embodiments, about 3g to about 4g of mass can be added to the top rail 1015 to assist the golf club head in resisting rotation. In some embodiments, the CG of the golf club head is slightly increased.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of golf club head 1000 along cross-section line XII-XII of FIG. 10 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the ball hitting surface 1012 has a high region 1076, a middle region 1074, and a low region 1072. In many embodiments, the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 is connected to the rear wall 1023 and to the top wall 1017 of the cavity 1030 below and adjacent to the rear wall 1023 and to the top wall 1017 of the cavity 1030 below and adjacent to the top wall 1017. It has a rear wall 1019.

In some embodiments, the height 1280 of the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 is about 0.125 inches (0.318 cm) to about 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), or about 0.75 inches (1.91 cm). It can be from 150 inches (0.381 cm) to about 0.400 inches (1.02 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the height 1280 of the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 is approximately 0.175 inches (0.445 cm), 0.275 inches (0.699 cm), 0.375 inches. (0.953 cm), 0.475 inches (1.21 cm), 0.575 inches (1.46 cm), or 0.675 inches (1.71 cm). In some embodiments, the height 1280 of the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 can be about 5% to about 25% of the height of the golf club head 1000. In some embodiments, the length of the top rail 1015 can be about 70% to about 95% of the length of the golf club head 1000, measured from the heel region 1002 to the toe region 1004.

The height 1280 of the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 allows the cavity 1030 to absorb at least a portion of the stress on the ball striking surface 1012 upon impact with a golf ball, as described herein. possible. A golf club head having a taller back wall than the back wall height 1280 described herein has an increased dispersion of the impact along the top rail before reaching the cavity, so the golf club head described herein has a higher height than the rear wall height 1280 described herein. It absorbs less stress at impact than the club head 1000 (and can reduce deflection of the ball hitting surface).

In some embodiments, cavity 1030 is positioned above lower region 1013 of crown 1008 and is defined at least in part by upper region 1011 and lower region 1013 of crown 1008. Cavity 1030 has a top wall 1017, a back wall 1019, and a bottom slope 1021. A first bending point 1082 is located between the top wall 1017 of the cavity 1030 and the rear wall 1019 of the cavity. A second bending point 1086 is located between the rear wall 1019 of the cavity 1030 and the bottom ramp 1021.

In some embodiments, the height of the rear wall 1019 is about 0.010 inches (0.25 mm) to about 0.138 inches (3.5 mm), measured from the first bend point 1082 to the second bend point 1086. 5 mm), or from about 0.010 inches (0.25 mm) to about 0.059 inches (1.5 mm). For example, the height of the rear wall 1019 is approximately 0.01 inch (0.25 mm), 0.02 inch (0.5 mm), 0.03 inch (0.75 mm), 0.04 inch (1.0 mm). , 0.05 inch (1.25mm), 0.06 inch (1.5mm), 0.07 inch (1.75mm), 0.08 inch (2.0mm), 0.09 inch (2.25mm) , 0.10 inches (2.5 mm), 0.11 inches (2.75 mm), 0.012 inches (3.0 mm), 0.13 inches (3.25 mm), or 0.14 inches (3. 5 mm). In many embodiments, the apex of the top wall 1017 is about 0.125 inches (0.318 cm) to about 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) below the apex of the top rail 1015; inch (0.635 cm) to about 1.25 inch (3.18 cm). For example, the apex of the top wall 1017 is approximately 0.125 inches (0.318 cm), 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.375 inches (0.953 cm), 0.5 inches below the top rail 1015. inch (1.27cm), 0.625 inch (1.59cm), 0.75 inch (1.91cm), 0.825 inch (2.10cm), 1.0 inch (2.54cm), 1.125 inch (2.88 cm) or 1.25 inch (3.18 cm).

In many embodiments, the rear wall 1019 of the cavity 1030 can be substantially parallel to the ball striking surface 1012. In other embodiments, back wall 1019 is not substantially parallel to ball striking surface 1012. In many embodiments, the top wall 1017 of the cavity slopes toward the ball striking surface 1012 as it moves toward the first flexion point 1082. This top wall 1017 arrangement creates a buckling or hinge point or plastic hinge that directs the stresses of impact toward the cavity 1030, allowing the deflection of the ball striking face 1012 to increase during impact.

The lower region 1013 of the crown 1008 has a bottom slope 1021 of the cavity 1030. In many embodiments, the second bend point 1086 is adjacent to the bottom ramp 1021 and below the apex of the top rail 1015, at least about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to about 2.0 inches (5 cm) below the apex of the top rail 1015. .08 cm), or from about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) to about 1.5 inches (3.81 cm). For example, the second bend point 1086 may be at least about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm) below the apex of the top rail 1015; 1.0 inch (2.53 cm), 1.25 inch (3.18 cm), 1.5 inch (3.81 cm), 1.75 inch (4.45 cm) or 2.0 inch (5.08 cm) can do. In some embodiments, the maximum height of the bottom slope is at least about 0.25 inches above the lowest point of the sole 1006, as measured from the sole 1006 of the club head 1000 to the second flex point 1086. or about 0.50 inches to about 2 inches. For example, the second flex point 1086 may be at least about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.375 inches (0.953 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) above the lowest point of the sole; 0.625 inch (1.59 cm), 0.75 inch (1.91 cm), 0.825 inch (2.10 cm), 1.0 inch (2.54 cm), 1.125 inch (2.88 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.375 inches (3.49 cm), 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), 1.625 inches (4.12 cm), 1.75 inches (4.45 cm), 1.875 inches (4.76 cm), 2.0 inches (5.08 cm), 2.125 inches (5.40 cm), 2.25 inches (5.71 cm), 2.375 inches (6.03 cm), 2.5 inches (6.35 cm), 2.625 inches (6.67 cm), 2.75 inches (7.00 cm), 2.875 inches (7.30 cm), or 3.0 inches (7.62 cm) ).

Cavity 1030 further includes at least one channel 1039 (FIG. 10). In many embodiments, channel 1039 extends from heel region 1002 to toe region 1004. Channel width 1032 (FIG. 12) may be substantially constant throughout channel 1039. In some embodiments, the channel width 1032 (FIG. 12) is about 0.008 inches (0.2 mm) to about 1 inch (25 mm), or about 0.008 inches (0.2 mm) to about 0.31 inches (0.2 mm) to about 1 inch (25 mm). inch (8 mm). For example, channel widths 1032 may be approximately 0.008 inches (0.2 mm), 0.016 inches (0.4 mm), 0.024 inches (0.6 mm), 0.031 inches (0.8 mm), 0. 039 inches (1.0 mm), 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.12 inches (3 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0. 28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.59 inches (15 mm), 0.79 inches (20 mm), or 0.98 inches (25 mm). In other embodiments, the channel toe region width of the channel 1039 is less than the channel heel region of the channel. In other embodiments, the channel heel region width is less than the channel toe region width. In other embodiments, the channel center region width of the channel 1039 can be less than at least one of the channel heel region width or the channel toe region width. In other embodiments, the channel center region width can be less than at least one of the channel heel region width or the channel toe region width. In some embodiments, channels 1039 are symmetrical. In other embodiments, channel 1039 is asymmetric. In other embodiments, channel 1039 can further include at least two partial channels. In some embodiments, channel 1039 can have a series of partial channels interrupted by one or more bridges. In some embodiments, the one or more bridges can be approximately the same thickness as the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008.

As shown herein, channel width 1032 is capable of absorbing stress from ball striking surface 1012 upon impact. Golf club heads with channel widths narrower than those described herein (e.g., golf club heads with less distinct cavities) can absorb less stress from the ball-striking face at impact (the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 (as there is less material) and therefore the ball striking face experiences less deflection than the golf club head 1000 described herein.

In many embodiments, cavity 1030 further has a back cavity angle 1035. The back cavity angle is measured between the top wall 1017 and back wall 1019 of the cavity 1030. In many embodiments, back cavity angle 1035 can be about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, back cavity angle 1035 can be about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees. In some embodiments, back cavity angle 1035 is approximately 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, or 110 degrees. In many embodiments, the back cavity angle 1035 provides a buckling point or plastic or target hinge at the top rail hinge point 1070 when the golf club head 1000 impacts the golf ball. In some embodiments, the wall thickness at the top rail hinge point 1070 is thinner than at the top wall 1017 of the cavity 1030.

FIG. 13 shows a view of the cross-section of the golf club head 1000 of FIG. 12 in which the crown 1008 is placed parallel to a non-cavity golf club head 1200 along the similar cross-section line XII-XII of FIG. In many embodiments, the golf club head 1000 has a back angle 1040, a top rail angle 1045, and a ball striking face angle 1050. The upper region angle 1040 is measured from the top wall 1017 of the upper region 1011 to the back wall 1023. In many embodiments, back angle 1040 can be about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, back angle 1040 is approximately 90 degrees. The top rail angle 1045 is measured from the back wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 to the top rail 1015. In many embodiments, the top rail angle 1045 can be from about 35 degrees to about 120 degrees, or from 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the top rail angle 1045 is approximately 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, or It can be 120 degrees. The ball striking face angle 1050 is measured from the ball striking face 1012 to the top rail 1015. In many embodiments, the ball striking face angle 1050 can be from about 70 degrees to about 160 degrees, or from 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the ball striking face angle 1050 is about 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, Or it is 160 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 13, in some embodiments, the minimum gap 1090 between the ball striking surface 1012 and the back wall 1019 is about 0.079 inches (2 mm) to about 0.39 inches (10 mm). For example, the minimum gap 1090 between the ball striking surface 1012 and the back wall 1019 is approximately 0.079 inch (2 mm), 0.16 inch (4 mm), 0.24 inch (6 mm), 0.31 inch (8 mm). Or it can be 0.39 inch (10 mm). In some embodiments, the minimum gap 1090 between the ball striking surface 1012 and the back wall 1019 is less than about 0.55 inches (14 mm), less than 0.47 inches (12 mm), about 0.39 inches (10 mm). less than about 0.31 inch (8 mm), less than about 0.24 inch (6 mm), or less than about 0.16 inch (4 mm). Further, in some embodiments, the maximum gap between the ball striking surface 1012 and the back wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the golf club head 1000 is greater than the minimum gap 1090. Further, in some embodiments, the maximum gap between the ball striking surface 1012 and the bottom slope 1021 of the lower region 1013 of the golf club head 1000 is greater than the minimum gap 1090 and the maximum gap of the upper region 1011.

FIG. 21 shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club head 1000 similar to the cross-section of golf club head 1000 shown in FIG. Golf club head 1000 has a cavity 1030, an upper region 1011, and a lower region 1013. Upper region 1011 has an upper outer rear wall 1023 , cavity 1030 has an outer cavity wall 1025 , and lower region 1013 has a lower outer wall 1027 . In many embodiments, the maximum top distance 1092 measured vertically from the ball striking surface 1012 to the rear wall 1023 of the top region 1011 can be about 0.20 to 0.59 inches (5 to 15 mm). For example, the maximum top distances 1092 are approximately 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.35 inches (9 mm), 0 .39 inch (10 mm), 0.43 inch (11 mm), 0.47 inch (12 mm), 0.51 inch (13 mm), 0.55 inch (14 mm), or 0.59 inch (15 mm) . Further, the minimum cavity distance 1094, measured vertically from the ball striking surface 1012 to the outer cavity wall 1025, can be about 0.16 to 0.47 inches (4 to 12 mm). For example, the minimum cavity distances 1094 are approximately 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0 .35 inches (9 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.43 inches (11 mm), or 0.47 inches (12 mm). Further, the maximum lower distance 1096 measured vertically from the ball striking surface 1012 to the lower outer wall 1027 can be about 0.98 to 1.57 inches (25 to 40 mm). For example, the maximum bottom distances 1096 are approximately 0.98 inches (25 mm), 1.02 inches (26 mm), 1.06 inches (27 mm), 1.10 inches (28 mm), 1.14 inches (29 mm), 1 .18 inch (30 mm), 1.22 inch (31 mm), 1.26 inch (32 mm), 1.30 inch (33 mm), 1.34 inch (34 mm), 1.38 inch (35 mm), 1.42 inch (36 mm), 1.46 inch (37 mm), 1.50 inch (38 mm), 1.54 inch (39 mm), or 1.57 inch (40 mm). In many embodiments, maximum bottom distance 1096 is greater than maximum top distance 1092, and maximum top distance 1092 is greater than minimum cavity distance 1094.

In many embodiments, the cavity 1030 can increase the speed of a golf ball over the golf club head 1200 or other standard golf club heads, can reduce the spin rate of a standard hybrid club head, and can reduce the spin rate of a standard hybrid club head over the golf club head 1200 or other standard golf club heads. And the launch angle can be increased compared to an iron club head. In many embodiments, the shape of the cavity 1035 determines the spring level and response timing of the golf club head 1000. When a golf ball impacts the ball striking surface 1012 of the club head 1000 having the cavity 1030, the ball striking surface 1012 springs back in a drum shape and the crown 1008 flexes in a controlled collapse manner. In many embodiments, the top rail 1015 can absorb more stress over a larger volume of space than the top rail of a golf club head that does not have the cavity 1030. The length, depth and width of cavity 1030 can be varied. These parameters control how much springback is provided in the overall design of club head 1000.

Upon impact with a golf ball, the ball striking surface 1012 can flex inwardly a greater distance than a golf club without the cavity 1030. In some embodiments, ball striking surface 1012 has about 10% to about 50% more deflection than the ball striking surface of a golf club head without cavity 1030. In some embodiments, ball striking surface 1012 has about 5% to about 40%, or about 10% to about 20% more deflection than the ball striking surface of a golf club head without cavity 1035. For example, ball striking surface 1012 may deflect approximately 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, or 40% more than the ball striking surface of a golf club head without cavity 1035. can have In many embodiments, both the retraction distance by the ball striking surface 1012 and the bending of the cavity 1030 due to the hinge is greater than a standard ball striking surface without the cavity and without the back of the club.

In many embodiments, the club head 1000 with the cavity 1030 has greater surface deflection due to greater buckling along the top rail hinge point 1070 upon impact with the golf ball. However, the cavity 1030 provides greater stress distribution along the top rail hinge point 1070 of the top rail, and springback forces are transferred from the cavity 1030 and the top rail 1015 to the ball striking surface 1012. A standard top rail without cavities does not have this hinging/buckling effect, nor does it have a high level of stress absorption over the large volume area of the top rail. Therefore, a standard ball striking surface does not have as much contact and recoil as ball striking surface 1012. Additionally, both the large area of the ball striking face 1012 and the top rail 1015 absorb more stress than the same crown area of a standard golf club head with a standard top rail and no cavity. Although in many embodiments there is greater stress along a greater area above the cavity 1030 than the same area in a standard club without a cavity, the durability of club heads with and without cavities is are the same. By adding a larger spring to the back end of the club (due to the inward slope of the top wall 1017 toward the ball striking face 1012), more force is transferred throughout the volume of the structure. The stress is observed over a larger area of the ball striking face 1012 and top rail 1015 of the golf club head 1000. Peak stresses can be seen in standard top rail club heads. However, more peak stresses are found in the golf club head 1000, but distributed over a larger volume of material. The hinge and bending regions of the golf club head 1000 (ie, the region above the cavity 1030 and the cavity 1030 itself) do not deform unless the stress reaches a critical buckling threshold. The cavity 1030 and its movement can be designed to be below a critical K value for the buckling threshold.

III. Golf Club Head Having a Cascading Sole and Back Cavity In some embodiments, the golf club head having a back cavity further includes a cascading sole having a stepped thinning section. FIG. 14 shows a cross-section of a golf club head 1100 according to an embodiment, which can be similar to golf club head 1000 (FIG. 10) along similar cross-section line XII-XII of FIG. Similar to golf club head 1000 (FIG. 10), golf club head 1100 has a body 1101. Body 1101 has a ball hitting surface 1112, a sole 1106, and a crown 1108. Ball hitting surface 1112 has a high region 1176, a middle region 1174, and a low region 1172. Crown 1108 has an upper region 1111 and a lower region 1113. Upper region 1111 has a top rail 1115. In many embodiments, the cavity 1130 is located on the underside of the top rail 1115. Golf club head 1100 further includes a cascading sole 1310 similar to inner diameter transition 310 (FIG. 3). The inner diameter transition section 1310 can have a first step 1315 of a first thickness, a second step 1317 of a second thickness, and a step transition region 1316. In some embodiments, the cascading sole 1310 can provide additional flexibility to the top rail 1115. In many embodiments, a back cavity combined with a cascading sole provides a greater spring effect on the ball striking surface. In some embodiments, a back cavity with a cascading sole allows about 3% to 5% more energy in deflection of the ball striking face. Cascade sole 1310 can have any number of stages, greater than or equal to two. For example, cascading sole 1310 can have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 tiers.

Golf club head 1100 having a cascade sole and back cavity can apply a greater recoil force to the ball striking surface than a golf club head having only a cascade sole or back cavity. This is due to the combined increased recoil force from both the inner diameter transition and the back cavity, as discussed above. The increased recoil force on the ball striking surface increases the deflection, which increases the impact force applied to the golf ball, thereby increasing the speed of the golf ball. In some embodiments, a golf club head 1100 having both a cavity 1130 and an inner diameter transition 1310 can increase ball velocity, increase launch angle, and provide better distance control. In various embodiments, golf club head 1100 can increase ball velocity by about 1% to about 4%. In various embodiments, golf club head 1100 can increase ball velocity by about 1%, 2%, 3%, or 4%. In many embodiments, the golf club head 1100 increases ball velocity to a greater extent when impacting the golf ball at the high area 1176 of the ball striking surface. In some embodiments, the golf club head 1100 can increase the launch angle from about 0.5 degrees to about 1.1 degrees. In some embodiments, the golf club head 1100 has a launch angle of about 0.5 degrees, 0.6 degrees, 0.7 degrees, 0.8 degrees, 0.9 degrees, 1.0 degrees, or 1.0 degrees. Can be increased by 1 degree.

An embodiment of a golf club head 1100 with a cascading sole and back cavity was tested. Overall, the cavity golf club head exhibited increased golf ball speed and increased launch angle when compared to a control golf club head lacking a cascading sole and back cavity. The cavity golf club head increases the velocity of the golf ball for every contact point on the ball striking surface due to the combined spring effect from the combination of the cascading sole 1310 (FIG. 14) and the cavity 1130 (FIG. 14). It showed an increase in launch angle. In some embodiments, due in part to the spring effect of cavity 1130 (FIG. 14), a greater increase in the velocity and launch angle of the golf ball is achieved in higher portions of the ball striking face (e.g., high region 1076 (FIG. 12) or Contact was observed in the high region 1176 (FIG. 14)). 19-20 show a golf club head 1100 (cavity golf head) compared to a standard iron type golf club head (control golf club head) having a closed back design and a loft angle similar to the cavity golf club head. The results of the test of the embodiment are shown below. FIG. 19 shows the increase in golf ball velocity for a cavity golf club head compared to a control golf club head when impacting a golf ball in a high area of the ball striking face, and FIG. 2 shows the increase in launch angle of a cavity golf club head compared to a control golf club head upon impact at .

In particular, FIG. 19 shows that when compared to the control golf club head, the golf ball velocity of the cavity golf club head was approximately 1.9% (or Approximately 2.5 mph), when the golf ball is impacted at the high center area of the ball hitting surface, the golf ball is driven at a high heel of the ball hitting surface by approximately 2.1% (or approximately 2.8 mph, or approximately 4.5 kph). It shows an increase of about 1.5% (or about 2.0 mph, or about 3.2 kph) when impacting the area (all golf club heads with cavities). When the golf ball impacted the ball striking surface in the high toe region of the control golf club head, the speed of the golf ball was approximately 132.5 mph (213.2 kph), while the ball speed in the high toe region of the cavity golf club head was approximately 132.5 mph (213.2 kph). A golf ball reaches approximately 135.0 mph (217.3 kph) upon impact. When the golf ball impacted the ball striking surface with the high center region of the control golf club head, the velocity of the golf ball was approximately 133.4 mph (214.7 kph), while the high center region of the cavity golf club head impacted the ball striking surface. A golf ball reaches approximately 136.2 mph (219.2 kph) upon impact. When the golf ball impacted the ball striking surface in the high heel region of the control golf club head, the speed of the golf ball was approximately 134.0 mph (215.7 kph), while the golf ball speed in the high heel region of the cavity golf club head was approximately 134.0 mph (215.7 kph). A golf ball reaches approximately 136.0 mph (218.9 kph) upon impact.

FIG. 20 shows that when compared to a control golf club head, the launch angle of the cavity golf club head is about 4.2% (or about 0. approximately 4.8% (or approximately 0.7 degrees) when the golf ball is impacted in the high heel area of the ball hitting surface (cavity (all golf club heads with attached golf clubs) show an increase of about 6.4% (or about 0.9 degrees). When the golf ball impacted the ball striking surface in the high toe region of the control golf club head, the launch angle was approximately 14.4 degrees, while when the golf ball impacted the ball striking surface in the high toe region of the cavity golf club head. In addition, the launch angle is about 15.0 degrees. When the golf ball impacted the ball striking surface with the high center region of the control golf club head, the launch angle was approximately 14.5 degrees, whereas when the golf ball impacted the ball striking surface with the high center region of the cavity golf club head. In addition, the launch angle is about 15.2 degrees. When the golf ball impacted the ball hitting surface in the high heel region of the control golf club head, the launch angle was approximately 14.1 degrees, whereas when the golf ball impacted the ball hitting surface in the high heel region of the golf club head with a cavity. In addition, the launch angle is about 15.0 degrees.

FIG. 17 shows a method 1700 of manufacturing a golf club head. Method 1700 includes preparing a body (block 1705). Preparing the body at block 1705 includes a body having a ball striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In many embodiments, the crown has an upper region and a lower region. In some embodiments, the upper region has a top rail. In many embodiments, the cavity is located below the top rail and above the lower region of the crown (block 1710). In some embodiments, the cavity is defined at least in part by the upper and lower regions of the crown. The cavity has a top wall, a back wall adjacent the top wall, a bottom slope adjacent the back wall, a back cavity angle measured between the top wall and the back wall of the cavity, and at least one channel. .

In some embodiments, method 1700 further includes providing an insert in the lower region of the crown toward the toe region. In some embodiments, the insert is similar to insert 1062 (FIG. 10).

In some embodiments, at block 1705, a body is provided that further includes a body having a cascading sole. A cascade sole includes an inner diameter transition from the ball striking surface to the sole. In many embodiments, the inner diameter transition region can be similar to an inner diameter transition or cascade sole 1310 (FIG. 14). In some embodiments, the inner diameter transition region includes a first stage having a first thickness, a second stage having a second thickness that is less than the first thickness, and between the first stage and the second stage. and a stage transition area.

IV. Golf Club with Cascading Sole and Back Cavity Turning to FIG. 15, FIG. 15 shows a golf club 1500 that includes a golf club head 1500 and a shaft 1590 coupled to the golf club head 1500. In some embodiments, golf club head 15000 of golf club 1500 comprises a hybrid type golf club head. In other embodiments, golf club head 1500 can be an iron-type golf club head or a fairway wood-type golf club head. In many embodiments, golf club head 1500 can be similar to golf club head 100 or golf club head 1000 (FIG. 10). Golf club head 1500 can be a hollow body and has a ball striking surface 1512, a heel region 1502, a toe region 1504 opposite heel region 1502, a sole 1506, and a crown 1508. Crown 1508 has an upper region 1511 and a lower region 1513. Upper region 1511 has a top rail 1515. Golf club head 1500 further includes a cavity 1530 located below top rail 1515 and above lower region 1513 of crown 1508.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-section of a golf club head 1500 along cross-section line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15 according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, cavity 1530 can be defined at least in part by upper region 1511 and lower region 1513. In many embodiments, the cavity 1530 has a top wall 1517, a back wall 1519, a bottom slope 1521, a back cavity angle 1535 measured between the top wall 1517 and the back wall 1519, and at least one channel 1539. has. In some embodiments, the apex of the top wall 1517 is about 0.25 inches to about 1.25 inches below the apex of the top rail 1515. In some embodiments, the apex of the top wall 1517 is approximately 0.375 inches below the apex of the top rail 1515. In some embodiments, the bottom ramp 1521 can apex the underside of the top rail 1515 by at least about 0.50 inches to about 2 inches. In many embodiments, back cavity angle 1535 can be about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, back cavity angle 1535 can be about 90 degrees.

In many embodiments, the upper region 1511 comprises a lower region of the crown having a top of the cavity and a bottom slope of the cavity. In some embodiments, the top region 1511 is further measured between a back wall 1523 adjacent to the top wall 1517 of the cavity 1530 and between the top wall 1517 of the cavity 1530 and the back wall 1523 of the top region 1511. and a rear angle 1540. In many embodiments, back angle 1540 is about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees.

In other embodiments, the golf club head can have a hosel. The hosel can have a hosel notch. The hosel notch has an iron-like range of loft and can be positioned to adjust the lie angle. Although not shown in FIG. 16, the golf club head 1500 may further include a cascading sole or inner diameter transition at the sole.

Golf club heads having the energy storage characteristics discussed herein can be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing discussion of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. It's not a thing. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings and the drawings themselves disclose at least one preferred embodiment of a golf club head with energy storage characteristics and other embodiments of a golf club head with a stepped interior thinning. be able to.

Clause 1. A golf club head comprising a body having a ball-striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, a crown, and an inner diameter transition from the ball-striking surface to at least one of the sole or the crown. . The golf club head, wherein the inner diameter transition portion is not visible from the outside of the golf club head and includes a first stage, a second stage, and a stage transition region between the first stage and the second stage.

Clause 2. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the first stage has a first substantially constant thickness and the second stage has a second substantially constant thickness different from the first substantially constant thickness.

Clause 3. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the step transition region has a linear gradient in thickness.

Clause 4. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the step transition region has a step of about 90 degrees.

Clause 5. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the inner diameter transition region further comprises a third stage having a third thickness that is less than the first thickness of the first stage and the second thickness of the second stage.

Clause 6. The first step length of the first step is approximately equal to the second step length of the second step, and the first and second step lengths are measured from the ball hitting surface toward the rear of the golf club head. , the golf club head according to clause 1.

Clause 7. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the first stage is longer than the second stage when measured from the ball striking surface to the rear of the golf club head.

Clause 8. The golf club head according to clause 3, wherein the third stage is longer than the second stage from the ball hitting surface to the rear of the golf club head.

Clause 9. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the body further includes an internal weight pad on the sole.

Clause 10. The golf club head of clause 9, wherein the inner weight pad is thicker than the first stage of the inner diameter transition.

Clause 11. The golf ball according to clause 1, wherein the body further includes an inner rib on the sole that is substantially parallel to the ball hitting surface, and the inner rib thickness of the inner rib is thicker than the final stage of the inner diameter transition part. club head.

Clause 12. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the golf club head comprises a driver golf club head.

Clause 13. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the golf club head comprises a Fairwood golf club head.

Clause 14. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the golf club head comprises a hybrid golf club head.

Clause 15. The golf club head according to clause 1, wherein the golf club head has an iron golf club head.

Clause 16. Each of the first and second stage transition regions has first and second arcuate surfaces, the first arcuate surface has a first radius of curvature, and the second arcuate surface has a second radius of curvature. , the golf club according to clause 1.

Clause 17. the first and second radii of curvature of the first stage transition region are at least twice the difference between the first thickness and the second thickness of the first and second stages, respectively; Clause 10, wherein the first and second radii of curvature of the two-stage transition region are at least twice the difference between the second thickness and the third thickness of the second stage and the third stage, respectively. The golf club described above.

Article 18. the first and second radii of curvature of the first stage transition region are about 6.5 times the difference between the first thickness and the second thickness of the first stage and second stage, respectively; The first and second radii of curvature of the second stage transition region are about 6.5 times the difference between the second thickness and the third thickness of the second stage and the third stage, respectively. , the golf club according to clause 16.

Article 19. The first stage is about 0.030 inch to about 0.060 inch thick, the second stage is about 0.020 inch to about 0.050 inch thick, and the third stage is about 0.020 inch to about 0.050 inch thick. The golf club head of clause 5, wherein the golf club head is from about 0.010 inch to about 0.040 inch thick.

Article 20. The first stage is about 0.035 inches to about 0.065 inches thick, the second stage is about 0.025 inches to about 0.055 inches thick, and the third stage is about 0.025 inches to about 0.055 inches thick. The golf club head of clause 5, wherein the golf club head is from about 0.015 inches to about 0.045 inches thick.

Clause 21. The first stage is about 0.050 inches to about 0.080 inches thick, the second stage is about 0.040 inches to about 0.070 inches thick, and the third stage is about 0.040 inches to about 0.070 inches thick. The golf club head of clause 5, wherein the golf club head is from about 0.030 inch to about 0.060 inch thick.

Clause 22. The first stage is about 0.055 inches to about 0.085 inches thick, the second stage is about 0.045 inches to about 0.075 inches thick, and the third stage is about 0.045 inches to about 0.075 inches thick. The golf club head of clause 5, wherein the golf club head is from about 0.030 inch to about 0.060 inch thick.

Clause 23. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the inner diameter transition region has a plastic hinge.

Article 24. further comprising a cavity, the cavity having a top wall, a back wall, a bottom slope, a back cavity angle measured between the top and back wall of the cavity, and at least one channel; is located below the top rail of the crown and above the lower region of the crown and is defined at least in part by the upper region of the crown and the lower region of the crown. head.

Article 25. a first crown thickness located at the front end of the club head behind the ball striking surface or inner diameter transition; and a second crown thickness located behind the first crown thickness toward the rear of the club head. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the first crown thickness is greater than the second crown thickness.

Article 26. A golf club head having a ball-striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, a crown, and an inner diameter transition from the ball-striking surface to at least one of the sole or the crown; a shaft connected to the golf club, wherein the inner diameter transition portion is not visible from the outside of the golf club head and is located between a first stage, a second stage, and between the first stage and the second stage. and a step transition region.

Article 27. 27. The golf club of clause 26, wherein the first stage has a first substantially constant thickness and the second stage has a second substantially constant thickness different from the first substantially constant thickness.

Article 28. 27. The golf club according to clause 26, wherein the step transition region has a slope with a linear thickness.

Article 29. 27. The golf club of clause 26, wherein the step transition region has a step of about 90 degrees.

Article 30. 27. The golf club of clause 26, wherein the inner diameter transition region further comprises a third step having a third thickness that is less than the first thickness of the first step and the second thickness of the second step.

Article 31. The first step length of the first step is approximately equal to the second step length of the second step, and the first and second step lengths are measured from the ball hitting surface toward the rear of the golf club head. , the golf club according to clause 26.

Article 32. 27. The golf club of clause 26, wherein the first stage is longer than the second stage when measured from the ball striking surface to the rear of the golf club head.

Article 33. 31. The golf club according to clause 30, wherein the third stage is longer than the second stage from the ball hitting surface to the rear of the golf club head.

Article 34. 27. The golf club of clause 26, wherein the golf club head further has an internal weight pad on the sole.

Article 35. 35. The golf club of clause 34, wherein the inner weight pad is thicker than the first stage of the inner diameter transition.

Article 36. The golf club head further includes an inner rib on the sole that is substantially parallel to the ball hitting surface, and the inner rib thickness of the inner rib is thicker than the final stage of the inner diameter transition portion. The golf club.

Article 37. Each of the first and second stage transition regions has first and second arcuate surfaces, the first arcuate surface has a first radius of curvature, and the second arcuate surface has a second radius of curvature. , the golf club according to clause 30.

Article 38. the first and second radii of curvature of the first stage transition region are at least twice the difference between the first thickness and the second thickness of the first and second stages, respectively; Clause 37, wherein the first and second radii of curvature of the two-stage transition region are at least twice the difference between the second thickness and the third thickness of the second stage and the third stage, respectively. The golf club described above.

Article 39. The first stage is about 0.035 inch to about 0.065 inch thick, the second stage is about 0.025 inch to about 0.055 inch thick, and the third stage is about 0.025 inch to about 0.055 inch thick. 31. The golf club of clause 30, wherein the golf club is about 0.015 inches to about 0.045 inches thick.

Article 40. The first stage is about 0.050 inch to about 0.080 inch thick, the second stage is about 0.040 inch to about 0.070 inch thick, and the third stage is about 0.040 inch to about 0.070 inch thick. 31. The golf club of clause 30, wherein the golf club is from about 0.030 inches to about 0.060 inches thick.

Article 41. The first stage is about 0.055 inches to about 0.085 inches thick, the second stage is about 0.045 inches to about 0.075 inches thick, and the third stage is about 0.045 inches to about 0.075 inches thick. 31. The golf club of clause 30, wherein the golf club is from about 0.030 inches to about 0.060 inches thick.

Article 42. 27. The golf club of clause 26, wherein the inner diameter transition region has a plastic hinge.

Article 43. further comprising a cavity, the cavity having a top wall, a back wall, a bottom slope, a back cavity angle measured between the top and back wall of the cavity, and at least one channel; 27. The golf ball of clause 26, wherein the golf ball is disposed below the top rail of the crown and above the lower region of the crown and is defined at least in part by the upper region of the crown and the lower region of the crown. club.

Article 44. providing a body having a ball striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown, and providing an inner diameter transition from the ball striking surface to at least one of the sole or the crown. A method of manufacturing a golf club head, wherein the inner diameter transition portion is not visible from the outside of the golf club head and includes a first stage having a first thickness and a second thickness thinner than the first thickness. and a step transition region between the first and second steps.

Article 45. 45. The method of manufacturing the golf club head of clause 44, wherein the first thickness is substantially constant and the second thickness is substantially constant and different from the first thickness.

Article 46. 45. The manufacture of the golf club head of clause 44, wherein the inner diameter transition region further comprises a third stage having a third thickness that is less than the first thickness of the first stage and the second thickness of the second stage. Method.

Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes a reconstruction and not a prosthesis. Additionally, advantages, other advantages, and solutions to the problem have been described in connection with particular embodiments. However, advantages, other advantages and solutions to problems, and any one or more factors that give rise to or make manifest any advantage, advantage or solution, are such advantages, advantages, or solutions. , resolution or element constitutes a material, essential or essential feature or element of any or all elements of a claim, unless such resolution or element is expressly recited in such claim. do not have.

The Rules for Golf change from time to time (for example, new rules may be applied by golf standards organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the British Golf Association (R&A), etc., or old (Rules may be repealed or changed), so golf equipment related to the devices, methods, and products described herein may or may not comply with the Rules of Golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the devices, methods, and products described herein may be advertised, marketed, and/or sold as compliant or non-compliant golf equipment. The devices, methods and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Although the above embodiments are described in the context of driver-type golf clubs, the devices, methods, and products described herein are applicable to fairwood-type golf clubs, hybrid-type golf clubs, iron-type golf clubs, etc. It may be applied to other types of golf clubs such as clubs, wedge type golf clubs, or putter type golf clubs. However, the devices, methods, and products described herein may be applicable to other types of sports equipment, such as hockey sticks, tennis rackets, fishing rods, ski poles, and the like.

Further, the embodiments and limitations described herein may be used to identify embodiments and/or limitations that (1) are not expressly claimed in a claim, and (2) cannot be claimed under the doctrine of equivalents. Equivalent or potentially equivalent expressive elements and/or limitations in scope are not made available to the public under the open doctrine.

Claims (46)

A ball hitting surface,
a heel area,
a toe region opposite the heel region;
Sole and
crown and
a body having an inner diameter transition portion from a ball hitting surface to at least one of the sole or the crown;
The inner diameter transition region is not visible from the outside of the golf club head, and
The inner diameter transition region is
The first stage and
The second stage and
A golf club head having a step transition region between the first step and the second step. the first stage has a first substantially constant thickness;
The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the second stage has a second substantially constant thickness that is different than the first substantially constant thickness. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the step transition region has a linear gradient in thickness. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the step transition region has a step of about 90 degrees. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the inner diameter transition region further comprises a third step having a third thickness that is less than a first thickness of the first step and a second thickness of the second step. head. The first stage length of the first stage is approximately equal to the second stage length of the second stage,
The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first step length and the second step length are measured in a direction from the ball hitting surface toward the rear of the golf club head. 2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first stage is longer than the second stage when measured from the ball striking surface toward the rear of the golf club head. The golf club head according to claim 3, wherein the third stage is longer than the second stage in a direction facing rearward of the golf club head from the ball hitting surface. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the body further includes an internal weight pad on the sole. 10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the inner weight pad is thicker than the first stage of the inner diameter transition. The body further includes an inner rib on the sole that is substantially parallel to the ball hitting surface,
The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein an inner rib thickness of the inner rib is thicker than a final stage of the inner diameter transition portion. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the golf club head comprises a driver type golf club head. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the golf club head comprises a Fairwood type golf club head. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the golf club head comprises a hybrid golf club head. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the golf club head comprises an iron-type golf club head. Each of the first and second stage transition regions has first and second arcuate surfaces, the first arcuate surface has a first radius of curvature, and the second arcuate surface has a second radius of curvature. , The golf club according to claim 1. the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature of the first stage transition region are at least twice the difference between the first and second thicknesses of the first and second stages, respectively;
10. The first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature of the second stage transition region are at least twice the difference between the second and third thicknesses of the second and third stages, respectively. The golf club described in . The first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature of the first stage transition region are approximately 6.5 times the difference between the first thickness of the first stage and the second stage and the second thickness, respectively. and
The first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature of the second stage transition region are about 6.5 times the difference between the second thickness of the second stage and the third stage and the third thickness, respectively. 17. The golf club according to claim 16. the first stage is about 0.030 inches to about 0.060 inches thick;
the second stage is about 0.020 inches to about 0.050 inches thick;
6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the third stage is about 0.010 inch to about 0.040 inch thick. the first stage is about 0.035 inches to about 0.065 inches thick;
the second stage is about 0.025 inches to about 0.055 inches thick;
6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the third step is about 0.015 inches to about 0.045 inches thick. the first stage is about 0.050 inches to about 0.080 inches thick;
the second stage is about 0.040 inches to about 0.070 inches thick;
6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the third stage is about 0.030 inch to about 0.060 inch thick. the first stage is about 0.055 inches to about 0.085 inches thick;
the second stage is about 0.045 inches to about 0.075 inches thick;
6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the third stage is about 0.030 inch to about 0.060 inch thick. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the inner diameter transition region has a plastic hinge. further comprising a cavity having a top wall, a back wall, a bottom slope, a back cavity angle measured between the top wall and the back wall of the cavity, and at least one channel;
The cavity is located below a top rail of the crown and above a lower region of the crown and is defined at least in part by the upper region of the crown and the lower region of the crown. Item 1. The golf club head according to item 1. Further, a first crown thickness located at the front end of the golf club head behind the ball hitting surface or inner diameter transition portion;
a second crown thickness located toward the rear of the golf club head behind the first crown thickness;
The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first crown thickness is greater than the second crown thickness. A ball hitting surface,
a heel area,
a toe region opposite the heel region;
Sole and
crown and
a golf club head having an inner diameter transition portion from the ball striking surface to at least one of the sole or the crown;
a shaft connected to the golf club head,
The inner diameter transition region is not visible from the outside of the golf club head,
The inner diameter transition region is
The first stage and
The second stage and
A golf club, comprising: a step transition region between the first step and the second step. the first stage has a first substantially constant thickness;
27. The golf club of claim 26, wherein the second stage has a second substantially constant thickness that is different than the first substantially constant thickness. 27. The golf club of claim 26, wherein the step transition region has a linear gradient in thickness. 27. The golf club of claim 26, wherein the step transition region has a step of about 90 degrees. 27. The golf ball of claim 26, wherein the inner diameter transition region further comprises a third step having a third thickness that is less than the first thickness of the first step and the second thickness of the second step. club. The first stage length of the first stage is approximately equal to the second stage length of the second stage,
27. The golf club according to claim 26, wherein the first and second step lengths are measured in a direction facing rearward of the golf club head from a ball striking surface. 27. The golf club of claim 26, wherein the first step is longer than the second step as measured from the ball striking face toward the rear of the golf club head. 31. The golf club according to claim 30, wherein the third stage is longer than the second stage in a direction facing toward the rear of the golf club head from the ball-striking surface. 27. The golf club of claim 26, wherein the golf club head further includes an internal weight pad on the sole. 35. The golf club of claim 34, wherein the inner weight pad is thicker than the first stage of the inner diameter transition. The golf club head further includes an inner rib on the sole that is substantially parallel to the ball hitting surface;
The golf club according to claim 26, wherein an inner rib thickness of the inner rib is thicker than a final stage of the inner diameter transition portion. Each of the first and second stage transition regions has first and second arcuate surfaces, the first arcuate surface has a first radius of curvature, and the second arcuate surface has a second radius of curvature. 31. The golf club of claim 30. the first and second radii of curvature of the first stage transition region are at least twice the difference between the first and second thicknesses of the first and second stages, respectively;
38. The first and second radii of curvature of the second stage transition region are at least twice the difference between the second and third thicknesses of the second and third stages, respectively. golf club. the first stage is about 0.035 inches to about 0.065 inches thick;
the second stage is about 0.025 inches to about 0.055 inches thick;
31. The golf club of claim 30, wherein the third step is about 0.015 inches to about 0.045 inches thick. the first stage is about 0.050 inches to about 0.080 inches thick;
the second stage is about 0.040 inches to about 0.070 inches thick;
31. The golf club of claim 30, wherein the third step is about 0.030 inch to about 0.060 inch thick. the first stage is about 0.055 inches to about 0.085 inches thick;
the second stage is about 0.045 inches to about 0.075 inches thick;
31. The golf club of claim 30, wherein the third step is about 0.030 inch to about 0.060 inch thick. 27. The golf club of claim 26, wherein the inner diameter transition region has a plastic hinge. further comprising a cavity having a top wall, a back wall, a bottom slope, a back cavity angle measured between the top wall and the back wall of the cavity, and at least one channel;
The cavity is located below a top rail of the crown and above a lower region of the crown and is defined at least in part by the upper region of the crown and the lower region of the crown. 27. The golf club according to item 26. A ball hitting surface,
a heel area,
a toe region opposite the heel region;
Sole and
preparing a body having a crown;
preparing an inner diameter transition region from the ball striking surface to at least one of the sole or the crown;
The inner diameter transition region is not visible from the outside of the golf club head,
The inner diameter transition region is
a first stage having a first thickness;
a second stage having a second thickness that is less than the first thickness;
A method of manufacturing a golf club head, comprising a step transition region between the first step and the second step. the first thickness is substantially constant;
45. The method of manufacturing a golf club head of claim 44, wherein the second thickness is substantially constant and different from the first thickness. 45. The golf ball of claim 44, wherein the inner diameter transition region further comprises a third step having a third thickness that is less than the first thickness of the first step and the second thickness of the second step. How to manufacture club heads.

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